Alstom test report

After a long testing campaign, where a series of self-lubricating products were tested in the Centre de Technology in Grenoble, France, Vesconite Hilube was approved for Alstom turbines, in wicket gates, connecting rods, servomotors, radial and axial segments. This approval is valid worldwide.

The basic results and testing conditions are as follows:

Supplier: Grafimec Bearings Systems – Brazil
Material tested: Vesconite Hilube
Size of bushings: 95 x 80 x 60 mm
Testing conditions:
Test: dry
Temperature: room
Tests duration: 1.800.000 cycles
Specific load: 20 MPa
Speed: 15 mm/s

Results:
Wear: ≤0,1 mm
Dynamic friction coefficient: <0,12

Back to Vesconite Hydro

Vesconite Hydro Case Studies

Four-foot diameter lantern rings solve corrosion issues at Hoover Dam hydro plant

When engineers at Hoover Dam determined that the original cast iron lantern rings built into some of its turbines needed to be…

Water quality improved with grease-free wicket gate bushings

When one hydroelectric plant operator took an environmental stance against water pollution, it went cold turkey on its use of grease in its plants.

Low-friction bearings reduce energy losses in free-stream turbines

A hydro turbine company based in Portland, Maine, USA, has chosen Vesconite Bearings’ lowest-friction material for the thrust bearings on its free-stream turbines.The material, Vesconite…

Indian dam project demonstrates Vesconite creep, abrasion resistance

Indian hydro-electric projects offer unique challenges: they are exposed to monsoon floods for a few months of the year and then a…

Vesconite Hilube wicket gate bushings replace bronze

A San Diego hydro-electric plant has been operating with Vesconite Hilube wicket gate bushings since August 2022. Hollow bar for the bushings…

Vesconite hydro turbine parts replace bronze

Hydro turbine bearing components machined from Vesconite Hilube have been installed at the Crai Water Turbine and Pollok Sawmill Projects in Wales…

Fit and forget these bearings - for months or even years

There is one less thing for hydro engineers to worry about when designing dams. This is if they choose Vesconite Hilube speciality…

Kruisvallei tainter gates use Vesconite Hilube

Vesconite Hilube trunnion bearings have been used on the Kruisvallei Hydro Power Plant’s tainter gates, which are to be installed this year…

Bushings still operating at Nile hydropower project

Vesconite Hilube bushings, which were installed on the control arm linkages on the radial deep sluice gates on a hydropower dam on…

Vesconite Hilube bushings in an independent test

Vesconite Hilube was tested by an independent laboratory in Vancouver, Canada, in 2002. The purpose of the test was to evaluate the performance of self-lubricating Vesconite Hilube bushings for use in wicket gate applications in hydroelectric turbines.

Alstom test report

After a long testing campaign where a series of self-lubricating products were tested in the Centre de Technology in Grenoble, France...

Turbine supplied to Integrated Power Plant and Iron Works

A 5-wing Kaplan wheel turbine that was supplied to Haapakosken Tehdas Oy in 2007 included a Vesconite Hilube bearing with an outside diameter...

Vesconite Hilube used on irrigation project

Twenty Vesconite Hilube staves were provided for Drop 4, Unit 2, of GE Hydro’s Imperial Irrigation Project.

Argentinian hydro projects opt for Vesconite

Two significant Argentinian hydroelectric projects have chosen Vesconite: Central Los Quiroga and Planta Hidroeléctrica Cabra Corral-Salta.

Want to know more?